A veritable “Who’s Who” coalition of progressive organizations in Montgomery County has co-signed a letter to Representatives Chris Van Hollen (D-MD-8) and John Delaney (D-MD-6) expressing “profound disappointment” with their “Nay” votes on the Amash/Conyers amendment last week. The amendment would have explicitly defunded NSA warrantless surveillance purportedly authorized under provisions of the FISA Amendment Act.

UPDATE, 8/3: ACLU of Maryland has co-signed the letter as well.

Organizational co-signers included ACLU of Maryland, ACLU of Montgomery County, Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) Maryland Chapter, CASA de Maryland, Defending Dissent Foundation, Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition, Montgomery County Progressive Alliance, Montgomery County Young Democrats, Pax Christi Montgomery, Peace Action Montgomery, Progressive Neighbors, and Veterans for Peace DC Area Chapter 016.* The text of the letter to Representative Van Hollen is embedded below:

Following a public appearance yesterday where he was met with “Wrong on NSA” signs, Rep. Van Hollen agreed to meet with MCCRC coalition members and allied groups; that meeting will be arranged soon.

An identical letter was sent and emailed to Representative John Delaney. Please visit our online petition to add your name to a list of four concrete demands we’re making of Representatives Van Hollen and Delaney to end unconstitutional surveillance practices.

Thank you letter to Representative John Sarbanes also sentA third letter was sent and emailed to Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD-3), whose district also includes part of Montgomery County. Unlike the first two, this one was a thank you letter; Rep. John Sarbanes stood with several other Maryland Representatives including Elijah Cummings (D-MD-7), Donna Edwards (D-MD-4), and Andrew Harris (R-MD-1) in voting for the Amash-Conyers amendment.

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* Not all of these cosigners are a part of Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition, and the letters make this distinction clear. Those who are endorse a model “Local Civil Rights Restoration Act” that MCCRC advocates.